| Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router |
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Model: BEFW11S4
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 1079
Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Windows
Operating system: None
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Connects to a broadband modem, a 10/100 Ethernet backbone, or wireless network
Long wireless operating range supports 300 feet indoors and 1,500 feet outdoors
Provides roaming, best access-point selection, load balancing, and network traffic filtering
Configurable through your networked PC's Web browser
Can act as a DHCP server for your existing network |
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| Description: |
| The Linksys BEFW11S4 is your all-in-one networking device This wireless router features support for the 802.11b protocol, which lets you wirelessly access your network and the Internet from up to 800 feet (outside), or 300 feet (inside) away |
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| User Reviews (1079 total): |
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A minor omission, October 21, 2002
By rabid reader (Aurora, IL USA)
This seems to be a nice piece of equipment, but I really think that the fact you need a direct cable connection to an ethernet card to get into the routers configuration and turn on the wireless capabilities should have been mentioned SOME WHERE other than one little line in the router configuration directions. Perhaps they assumed a technically inclined person would know that, but it is dangerous to assume anything.
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Wireless Router, October 20, 2002
By Robert Shwajlyk (Gloversville, NY United States)
Works great! Had a little trouble connecting to DSL at first but the support from Linksys was very good. Always able to speak to a live person.
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Great Range, But No Off Switch, October 19, 2002
By unknown
It's a great little product - takes up very little space and has great range. I've taken a laptop as far as 50 feet outside with still almost 90% connectivity. I don't leave it on all the time, because of concerns with the encryption (actually, that's true with all 802.11b devices). So, one thing I wish it had was an off switch. Right now, I have to unplug the device when it's not in use.I had no problems installing it on different OS's - I've used it with Windows ME, 2000, XP - with no problems. Linksys, at least in my mind, has some kind of stigma as being a tier 2 provider behind Netgear, but they make devices that work, with good compatibility and an easy to understand interface. My mind is changing for sure...
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Works great. Not a snap for a network novice., October 19, 2002
By John E. Reinertson (Marshalltown, IA USA)
Worked well when up and running. I wouldn't be without it now. Startup was my first attempt at networking and cable modem/ hi speed access. Documentation seemed obtuse to me, but I am a novice at networking.Added the linksys cable modem and love both!!!
John
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Easy to setup and most important ... it works, October 17, 2002
By pchelp2000 (Iselin, NJ USA)
I have a 3 computer home-network dislocate in 3 floors of my house. I was able to setup my wireless cable-internet-sharing in about 1/2 hour. I am using a wireless cable/DSL router, 1 wireless USB adapter and one wireless laptop adapter. Thank you Linksys.
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Worked out of the box., October 16, 2002
By astroman (the cosmos)
I upgraded to this product from the Linksys standard (ie non wireless) router. The upgrade took only 5 minutes. However, be warned that initial configuration of a cable/dsl connection can be quite difficult.
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Thanks for the warning, October 14, 2002
By R. Bartlett (California USA)
Tech support is even more important than warrantee or reputation as the earlier message reads. It seems that brand is of no consequence today, as the customer support makes the warrantee either good or bad, or even useless, as this one seems to be. I've about had it with customer "support" telling me to mail back the item at my own expense. I think I will try another brand.
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Good but cumbersome, October 14, 2002
By unknown
Like the product and it does all I need.However, it would be better if it could be set up without having to use an ethernet connection first. Used to have a cablefree system that just set up and ran. This was a little more cumbersome. On VPN to your company, read the information carefully and disable the filter.
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Easy to setup and works great!, October 12, 2002
By Sci-Fi Fan (USA)
We had the Linksys Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router installed, setup and working within an hour. The hardest work was moving a computer desk to get to the cabling. Once that was done, configuring the router was a snap for both a PC and a laptop (with different operating systems) to share a common high-speed internet connection. Now, the laptop can be taken to any room in the house and be connected to the internet without worrying about cabling or dialing up. The PC can also be on the internet simultaneously with no noticeable, significant reduction in internet access speed. (The PC is wired directly to the router instead of using a wireless connection.)If you plan to get a wireless router, you want to make sure to setup enough security protection within the network to prevent nearby strangers from gaining access to your wireless network. With the Linksys Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router, you tell it how many computers will have access to the network and configure any PC's or laptops on wireless connections to have the correct encryption. We noticed that incresing the level of security a lot slowed the wireless connection significantly. That's the only signficant drawback that we have seen. Also, from a coworker who tried this: if you plan to use the Linksys Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router within close proximity to where other similar, non-Linksys wireless networks are already in use, the Linksys Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router may interfere with the non-Linksys wireless networks.
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Awesome 80211b product!, October 9, 2002
By Rich Temer (Shoreline, Washington United States)
I'm actually using this wireless router/AP to share a DSL connection with my neighbor who lives across the street from me (approx 100ft). I had a problem with the initial setup, but found an FAQ on the Linksys site that resolved the issue immediately. After that, I set up a Linksys USB antenna on my pc, and once configured, I've been connecting continuously at 100% signal strength and 97-100% signal quality.I placed the router near a window at my neighbor's house, which probably helps the range, but I was still surprised by how strong the signal is. One piece of advice: Don't let the Cd auto-configure your router, just follow the included directions and do it yourself. The Linksys software told me that my ISP's settings were different than they actually were, and this briefly led me down an incorrect installation path.
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Not a bargain at half the price, October 8, 2002
By Michael C. Clark (NH USA)
This product lasted two months, then the wireless stopped working. I will say that tech support was helpful with the initial setup and configured (they had to be, as the documentation for the "advanced features" is non-existent). Be sure to ask about the "MAC Address Clone" feature if you are connecting through a cable modem through which you have already connected via your computer. I, too had the frustration of sending this thing back to Linksys at my own expense and waiting 2 weeks to see it again. It is good at working *sometimes*, but if you need reliable wireless connectivity, and download often, look elsewhere. This unit for me has "locked up" every couple of hours if I am downloading or transferring files.
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wireless function failed in under 1 year, October 8, 2002
By unknown
I experienced the same problem that other reviewers have reported. The wireless portion of the router stopped working after only 10 months. The wired connections and router function still work fine. Linksys is replacing the unit since is still under warranty, but it is very inconvenient to be without my router while I return it to the manufacturer and wait for the replacement.
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Easy as Pie, October 7, 2002
By unknown
The set-up was incredibly simple...just plug in and follow a few easy directions. They tell you exactly what information you need from your IP. I have an IBM thinkpad I bought with the wireless card and windows XP. I didn't have to do a thing to it after I set up the router and my desktop. It was ready right away! The whole thing took about 1 hour (most of which was talking to the cable people to get the IP adress. I'm having no problems with signal. The router is on the first floor study and I take my laptop up to my bedroom.
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Great Router, October 6, 2002
By kowalke67 (Chicago, IL United States)
The router was a breeze to setup/configure and it has worked flawlessly (speed, solid connection, etc.) since I've been using it. I wanted a router for the basic reason of spliting a dsl connection. I like the built in (you can choose on or off) WEP encryption and firewall protection. Support is good. I had to call them (I was doing something stupid it turns out, opps) because I initially could not get connected. One downside was I could not get through on a Saturday. Most people will do stuff like this on a weekend so support should be reasonably accessible during that time. However, I called during the work week and was able to get an answer to solve my problem without being in front of the pc and found the rep to be very helpful.The price is good too. For a router of this quality you will not find a cheaper product. Cheaper routers will be just that- cheaper routers. More expensive ones will not perform any better (this opinion comes from the research I did before choosing to buy this brand and model). This router offers all the home user or small business user will need. It offers all the features to setup a robust home/small office wireless network. Four stars (even four and 1/2 if it was possible to do that on ????) only because help was hard to access on a weekend. I would not let that stop me from buying this router or buying future Linksys products. I also use a wireless USB network adapter and it is great too.
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Easy install and overall good router, October 2, 2002
By unknown
First off, if your worried about instillation of this router, dont be. Fairly simple.On the other hand, there are a couple things you will need to do to get some programs working by opening certain ports. That gets a little complicated if you dont know what your doing. Linksys does not help AT ALL with port forwarding, they just tell you to buzz of and do it yourself. Overall its a nice router, did what I needed and that was to share my DSL connection to 3 computers with ease. Speeds were great, and now I'm able to play games across the LAN. 4 out of 5 stars because AIM can't direct connect with this router, dont know if its AIM's fault, or theirs. But other routers do fine with AIM.
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Easy to install, October 2, 2002
By Robert Goodwill (Fort Madison, IA USA)
I have a Dell PC and an iMac for my children. I installed cable internet and wanted to network them. Within 30 minutes of opening the packages for a 4-port cable router and a Wet11 wireless ethernet bridge I had it all working. The Linksys installation CD worked wonderfully in my PC but did not function in my iMac. I had to call LinkSys for installation support but within 10 minutes had my iMac accessing the web by cable speed.I have tried several other wireless network connections but for the novice user who just wants to get the job done this is perfect.
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Worked for 3 months . . . . terrible support, October 2, 2002
By whisper62 (Atlanta, GA United States)
I purchased this router for my new office in June. It seemed like the perfect solution for my small business. Worked beautifully for 3 months and one day (for no apparent reason), the router functionality stopped working every 5-15 minutes. The wireless functionality worked great, but PCs wired to the router would lose connection. The problem got progressively worse to the point where I can only access the internet from my laptop which connects wirelessly. All 4 ports are dead. I sat on the phone with linksys support for 2 hours (1 1/2 hrs of which was on hold), after which they told me they would replace my unit and that I would receive the forms via email within 24 hrs. One week later, I received the forms which specified that I must ship the unit to linksys at my own expense, wait 3 days while they processed my claim and tested the router, and wait another 5-9 business days for UPS ground to ship it back. The livelihood of my small web design business depends on the ability of all four of my employees to access the internet. After trying to deal with them for a couple of days, I couldn't afford to go without the router anymore, so I purchased another brand.
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Excellent!, October 2, 2002
By P. Salvo (Miami, FL USA)
This is a great product.I highly recommend this product and would buy it again.
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Great Product, October 1, 2002
By Roc (Irvine, CA United States)
I would recommend this to all the home users who are looking for cheap and reliable wireless connection. It is easy to install but the firmware is buggy. I had to call tech support to help me reinstall the firmware after my first attempt caused the red light on the unit to flash. Also, the D-link DI713P is pretty good. However, the D-link is a little bit confusing to configure at first.
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It's a snap, October 1, 2002
By Vincent Cheng (San Diego, CA United States)
Installation was a piece of cake. I switched out my non wireless Linksys router for this baby. I get great signal all through my place, albeit it my place is a tad small. I was up and running within 5 minutes. I'm using an Orinoco Gold card (courtesy of work) and have had no problems since. I just switch between two profiles between home and work. Would have gotten five stars if not for the security/encryption flaws.
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